NationStates Jolt Archive

I've been reading a few of those Canada threads.
I just want to know what people think about New Zealand! (I bet some of you have never heard of us! ;))
Please give me your comments. (Unless you are Australian. JK!!!)

New Zealand is cool. And i'm Australian, so there :p

I've been reading a few of those Canada threads.
I just want to know what people think about New Zealand! (I bet some of you have never heard of us! ;))
Please give me your comments. (Unless you are Australian. JK!!!)
Oh yes. Fantastic countryside. Some what strange people (only saying that because a friend of a friend is married to one and they have just moved out there).
And they still have Bonfire night! Or was that just her?

It is a ver' cool place. Apart from he whole filming of LOTR, its got some beautiful landscape, great people, and motorways that kids could play on, they're so damn quiet in places

You have too many sheep.
and a huge tower in your capital. (Wellington, see I know something)
and are located on the opposite of globe (well, my view)

oh, man I want to live in NZ so bad. I'm still a junior in high school and live in Virginia :headbang: all the way across the WORLD!! But I'm obsessed; I think it's gorgeous and really admire how it's such an environmentally-conscious nation. PM Clark is a cool cat. I actually looked into exchange student stuff at .. Dunedin I think? Some place on the south island.

<3 kiwis

Well we still celebrate Guy Fawkes Night (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes)
I think celebrating a person who tried to blow up the English Parliament is a great think to do! Especially since we are still part of the Commonwealth, we still have a Union Jack on our flag and very especially since some British territories are controlled from our capital! I wish someone would blow up the National Front (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_National_Front)(our little group of Nazis)

Woot! Dunedin owns. It is my home town.
However we do not have too many sheep. That is an oxymoron ;).
Helen Clark is a pretty good Prime Minister. (I have stated if anyone says Priminister again I shall call them stupid)

On television tonight I saw a show called Bad Boys or something... a pair of idiots who came here and among other things annoyed some sheep and one of the got butted by a ram. Serves the silly guy right!

Don't know so much about New Zealand, apart from some things that are already been said.
But I have question: Where does the name New Zealand come from? Is it from the Dutch Zealand?

All the New Zealanders I've ever met have either been young, fit and incredibly tall or middle aged, pot-bellied, and wearing cheap shirts. What's with that? Do you play sport madly for the first twenty five years of your life, then get married, get a job, and think, "Right, that's enough exercise for one lifetime. It's me in that armchair over there for the next fifty years."

Plus the head of my profession is a New Zealander, so I have to say your country is renowned for its professional expertise.

Yes the name New Zealand does come from the Dutch Zeeland. New Zealand was first sighted (though not explored) by Abel Janszoon Tasman (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abel_Tasman), a Dutch explorer. He mapped parts of New Zealand.
The sea between New Zealand and Australia is know as the Tasman Sea. Australia used to be known as New Holland.

NZ in incredible looking but your accent is almost as scarey as the auzzies! the way you say tent as in teiiiint is funny. yummy place tho!

All the New Zealanders I've ever met have either been young, fit and incredibly tall or middle aged, pot-bellied, and wearing cheap shirts. What's with that? Do you play sport madly for the first twenty five years of your life, then get married, get a job, and think, "Right, that's enough exercise for one lifetime. It's me in that armchair over there for the next fifty years."

LOL! Well pretty much! Though I intend to play sports for way longer than 25 years! That just isnt enough!

You have too many sheep.
and a huge tower in your capital. (Wellington, see I know something)
and are located on the opposite of globe (well, my view)

Well... actually the Sky Tower is in Auckland. Our largest city. :)

My dad went to New Zealand and brought back a Weta (A huge insect), since i was into entomology then. still got it in a bottle of alcohol. New Zealand Rocks in my point of view; nice people, land scapes, and a crazy biodiversity.

All the New Zealanders I've ever met have either been young, fit and incredibly tall or middle aged, pot-bellied, and wearing cheap shirts. What's with that? Do you play sport madly for the first twenty five years of your life, then get married, get a job, and think, "Right, that's enough exercise for one lifetime. It's me in that armchair over there for the next fifty years."


Haha, its the same over here too.

Well... actually the Sky Tower is in Auckland. Our largest city. :)
Darn! But the tower exists anyway. yay. :D
I would really like to visit New Zealand, but as it is so far away, the flight tickets are far too expensive for me.

Yes! New Zealand does a good biodiversity. This is probably due to the fact that we split off from Australia very early and therefore only have one native mammal which is a bat! Wetas are horrible! I hate them.. they bite you know :P

But surely someone has something critical to say.. I'm willing to listen to any critism and then prove them wrong :)

Does anyone have any view on the identity of New Zealand or Polictics or anything of the such? Please tell me!

But surely someone has something critical to say.. I'm willing to listen to any critism and then prove them wrong :)


errr....hmmm...
ok!
What about those poor animals which "you" have driven to extinction?

errr....hmmm...
ok!
What about those poor animals which "you" have driven to extinction?

Do you mean the Moa?
Well actually they have just released studies to show that it was not only humans who were effective in making the Moa extinct. We also had a New Zealand Eagle (Also extinct.) which fed mainly on Moa. :)

I am planning to move to NZ when I'm older, (If the Lib Dems arn't in power by then,) but I'll still support England not the all blacks.

New Zealand... I know quite a few kiwis, actually:). A few of them are Maori, and hey, you guys did as good a job of pushing them into second-class citizenship as Canada did to my people. Good movies have come out of NZ lately, though I wish we had access to more than just the really well known ones (such as Once Were Warriors, and Whale Rider). Beautiful landscape and a fairly nice left-leaning bias in government...wasn't it New Zealand that opposed nuclear testing by France in the South Pacific back in 1963, then again not too long ago? Despite the human rights issues in regards to the Maori, New Zealand is kind of known as a voice for South Pacific human rights. Plus Canada and New Zealand share the Commonwealth bond (or shackles?).

My dad went to New Zealand and brought back a Weta (A huge insect), since i was into entomology then. still got it in a bottle of alcohol. New Zealand Rocks in my point of view; nice people, land scapes, and a crazy biodiversity.
Gosh I miss the Wetas! I used to live out on the coast when I was in ZN (downunder geddit?) and come winter the wetas would crawl in to get warm. Incidently for those of you who don't know what a weta is:
http://weta.boarsnest.net/gallery2.htm
notice the lengths.
BTW did you know that wetas can freeze solid and stay that way all winter and then when the ice melts wake up and continue on their merry way? Wonderful little buggers.

Beautiful landscape and a fairly nice left-leaning bias in government...wasn't it New Zealand that opposed nuclear testing by France in the South Pacific back in 1963, then again not too long ago?

Yes, and those French agents that blew up the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour, killing a photograhper...we charged those darn agents and they served time...in some fricken French territory...
Oooh, yeah then there was the storming of the Rainbow Warrior II back in the days of the Muroroa Atoll, that was in the mid 90's I believe. But that wasn't just us. We are a staging point though, I think.

Plus there's the whole nuclear free thing and we won't let the US travel through in their nuclear subs, which really annoys them apparently :D


What human rights issues with the Maori?

You mean middle earth?!
no?
oh the sheep... people.

nah I like the Kiwi's gotta respect all the ANZAC's

although they are getting whooped in the cricket :p
Aussie Aussie Aussie
OI OI OI
well I do like you more then the Pom's :)

YAY! I live in NZ too. IN DUNEDIN! HOORAY!!!

There's a bit of an issue with the fairness Maori have been treated in the past and (sadly) even now, to an extent. We just had this bill passed which means that the seabed and foreshore (swearwords in NZ) now belong to the Queen, but that everyone has access to them, except particular sites of traditional significance. The thing is that some Maori believe that it belongs to Maori (as I understand it).

In reality, I don't think it'll affect much except perception of the government.

And, no, I don't like the NF either. But I think they have some good ideas, just a load of bad ones, like "kick out all Asians", "castrate all sex-criminals" and "execute all homosexuals".

Anyway. Wake up now.

NZ is the eastenmost state of Australia...lol

As a Canadian, I always sort of thought of NZ as the Canada of the S Hemisphere (or the other way around)...you have this huge obnoxious neighbour next to you and are always sort of overlooked. The political similarities between the US and OZ sort of reinfirce my woefully uneducated opinion on the simmilarities between our nations.

And you have Super 12 as well as the home leagues, as well as those talented but spite inducing all blacks. Spencer is a cheeky bastard.

If I could find a good job there I'd move in a second, if only for the sport!

Hey i'm a kiwi- live in Auckland- u want something bad about NZ?

mmm...

There's 16 1/4 sheep for every person.
Another thing?

Were miles away from anywhere else so travel takes a long time and is pretty expensive

i hear you have a crappy dollar too! some of my best times travelling have been with kiwis complaining about how royally screwed we were getting on double and triple exchanges... :headbang:

Dollars been gettin better actually- i think were at 1 dollar = $.65 US but now all the exporters have started complaining so ya can't win

On the whole Maori foreshore and seabed thing?

It's difficult to take a stance on this without gettin slammed by people from either side. Personally i just like the idea that people can use the beach whenever they like for whatever reasons as long as it doesn't affect the beach/sea badly in a particular way.

NZ is actually very good on its whole native peoples thing. Aborigines, Indians etc have all been oppressed with little/no compensation.

i hear that...we are up at .84 or so, but when i was travelling this summer and bought all my american $ we were in the 70's. got home with some extra american $ and got done over again. goddamnit!

didn't the kiwi high leader person whatever insult Bush ot his face? I know very little of NZ politics, despite having some kiwi friends :p

Is this where I point out that I'm from NZ?

On the whole Maori foreshore and seabed thing?

It's difficult to take a stance on this without gettin slammed by people from either side. Personally i just like the idea that people can use the beach whenever they like for whatever reasons as long as it doesn't affect the beach/sea badly in a particular way.

NZ is actually very good on its whole native peoples thing. Aborigines, Indians etc have all been oppressed with little/no compensation.
I wonder if the poster who initially pointed out human rights with regards to Maori is Canadian?

With regards to New Zealand, Maori and human rights, I do believe we are leaders not so much in the Pacific, but world-wide. This should not be read as saying that New Zealand has never had institutionalised racism (as well as informal), nor that the dealings between Maori and non-Maori have always been conducted with exemplary (or even acceptable) behavior on the part of non-Maori. Nor does it mean that all wrongs have been righted in so far as they can be after the fact.

What it means if you look at things world wide, New Zealand was among the first (and often the first) in the world to advance human rights, and I believe this applies to dealings between the Crown and Maori. It's not so much that things have been done rights, or that they have been righted quickly, or even righted at all, but rather that New Zealand is at the forefront of moves away from doing things wrong, and towards doing them right. So it's been an often rocky road to date, and it's still not all smooth travelling, there's hills and potholes to overcome, not to mention the odd detour that seems to head off in an opposite direction for a time, but none the less, I do believe that New Zealand is a world leader in this regard.

As a Canadian, I always sort of thought of NZ as the Canada of the S Hemisphere (or the other way around)...you have this huge obnoxious neighbour next to you and are always sort of overlooked. The political similarities between the US and OZ sort of reinfirce my woefully uneducated opinion on the simmilarities between our nations.

And you have Super 12 as well as the home leagues, as well as those talented but spite inducing all blacks. Spencer is a cheeky bastard.

If I could find a good job there I'd move in a second, if only for the sport!

Would one say similar to China and Japan as well?

Well this Canadian loves the place. I've been there twice and would love to go again. Although the 18 flight is a bit of a drag.

Here's something I've always wondered. It's New Zealand.. So where's the original Zealand?

Here's something I've always wondered. It's New Zealand.. So where's the original Zealand?

The Dutch named the Shaky isles "New Zeeland" where Zeeland was a dutch province before the 1800s. Australia was "New Holland".

I thort NZ was named after the Zeehan- one of the ships Abel Tasman came to NZ on

I thort NZ was named after the Zeehan- one of the ships Abel Tasman came to NZ on

Zealand is a place in Europe, thats where the bame comes from

I don't mind NZ, you're like little Aussies who cant talk properly :p

Getting thumped at Adelaide Oval at the moment too :)

GO Aussie Go

Our taxes are too high, and the govt under Clark wants to redtape everything. :mp5:

AHEM*****woman in power*****AHEM :p j/k

AHEM*****woman in power*****AHEM :p j/k

Go the RMA, go the smoking ban that dont let the owners of bars decide, go a massive unspent surplus and the best of all the foreshore and seabed. what can I say National is what we need not some red commie that wants to sell out our country

New Zealand is the greatest nation in the Soutern Hemisphere! I live in Northland :).

I wonder if the poster who initially pointed out human rights with regards to Maori is Canadian?

With regards to New Zealand, Maori and human rights, I do believe we are leaders not so much in the Pacific, but world-wide. This should not be read as saying that New Zealand has never had institutionalised racism (as well as informal), nor that the dealings between Maori and non-Maori have always been conducted with exemplary (or even acceptable) behavior on the part of non-Maori. Nor does it mean that all wrongs have been righted in so far as they can be after the fact.

What it means if you look at things world wide, New Zealand was among the first (and often the first) in the world to advance human rights, and I believe this applies to dealings between the Crown and Maori. It's not so much that things have been done rights, or that they have been righted quickly, or even righted at all, but rather that New Zealand is at the forefront of moves away from doing things wrong, and towards doing them right. So it's been an often rocky road to date, and it's still not all smooth travelling, there's hills and potholes to overcome, not to mention the odd detour that seems to head off in an opposite direction for a time, but none the less, I do believe that New Zealand is a world leader in this regard.

Here, here.

Our taxes are too high, and the govt under Clark wants to redtape everything.

Go National! Rock on Civil Unions and Prostitution Reform though.

didn't the kiwi high leader person whatever insult Bush ot his face? I know very little of NZ politics, despite having some kiwi friends

Not to his face, but she did piss off the Bush Administration with some remarks and had to apologize to the US Embassy in Wellington.

Helen Clark is a great leader, one of our most effective Prime Ministers. I don't agree with some her socialist policies however, but I have great admiration.

I'll always remember the day Helen Clarke insulted George Bush can't remember what she sed but it was dam funny :D

I've played rugby with Kiwis. Great people. Great Rugby. Go ALL BLACKS. Love it when they beat the boks, aussies and brits.

I'll always remember the day Helen Clarke insulted George Bush can't remember what she sed but it was dam funny :D

All she said was that the Iraq war wouldn't of happened if Al Gore had won. The yank embassy cracked the shits and she had to appologise even though it was probably entirely true.

I've played rugby with Kiwis. Great people. Great Rugby. Go ALL BLACKS. Love it when they beat the boks, aussies and brits.


How about when we beat the French? They play tomorrow morning NZ time. That team is so unpredictable. They nail Aussie one week and lose to Argentina the next. I'm not going to even try to predict a result, although Magne vs McCaw should be a cracking match up (as will Serge Betsen vs Big Jerry).

I heard New Zealand has a great 'Sheep to Ork' ratio.

How about when we beat the French? They play tomorrow morning NZ time. That team is so unpredictable. They nail Aussie one week and lose to Argentina the next. I'm not going to even try to predict a result, although Magne vs McCaw should be a cracking match up (as will Serge Betsen vs Big Jerry).

Argentina beat the French using a very strong forward pack. Our pack achieved parity with Wales (and they got a tight head against us :confused: )
I am putting a bet on France so whoever wins I am happy.

How about when we beat the French? They play tomorrow morning NZ time. That team is so unpredictable. They nail Aussie one week and lose to Argentina the next. I'm not going to even try to predict a result, although Magne vs McCaw should be a cracking match up (as will Serge Betsen vs Big Jerry).
yes of course it's always delightful when anyone beats the French. If only we (the Canadians) could beat them (anyone). Canada like NZ is, I expect a single sport nation.....The All Blacks may get beaten from time to time, but over time they are the best. Much like hockey for us.
Cheers

My great uncle moved out to NZ before the Second World War. He set up some department store in the Bay of Islands that boosted the local economy so much that he got a road named after him. Now if only I could remember his surname :confused:

All the Kiwis I have met are lovely people, really nice and sweet. But I have to say, you can't really compare the Aussi-Kiwi relationship with the Yankee-Canuk one. Australia, while a lovely country, is not the most poweverful nation is the world. This is where Canada finds it's problems, no one knows or cares that we exist because we are just the chunk of land above the States. In fact, one of my friends was on a student exchange to Perth for three monthes, and many people thought that Canada wasn't even a countrey, but that is was PART OF THE STATES! Thats what kills us up here. Everyone knows that NZ is a unique country, with amazing geography and a distinct culture, and probably independant politics. And the Bush Admin. doesn't do us any favours. We say we want peace, they pressure us into war, we don't go, and they have a fit! We belive in a sort of open-door, defence is not a big issue policy, because really, it only invites war, but they decided to build a big shield around us in outer space. We want to protect the enviroment, they pollute our air... we can't do a goddamn thing for ourselves now. I'm not pointing fingers, and I understand I'm going on a rant, but this is really a tender issue. I like Americans, I just don't like the American Government. In Canada, we're are just a cold extention of the States, and that kills me, because we're not. We are unique, we do have different ideas and the land is beautiful in every sence of the word. So NZ, my advise to you, is don't let the Aussie's get to powerful, and if they do, remember how different you are, and don't let the rest of the world treat you like Australia's neighboors, but like the full fleged Kiwi's you are.